A diesel marine generator is used to provide power or a back up source of power in locations where it may come in contact with water. The obvious use is on boats or ships but also in harbors and docks where freight may be moved around.

Don’t be surprised to find them used in large supermarkets too, as they need large refrigeration units and may need a backup system if grid electricity is unreliable. Basically such a generator will resist a certain amount of water and still operate.

The main differences between a marine generator and a standard generator are the out shell of the generator and the individual parts are designed to be water resistant.

For instance salt water is a catalyst for rust on many items of machinery. A marine generator will be made of sturdy material and will be treated with rust resistant paint. The innards or working parts of the generator are designed to work in environments where the atmosphere will be humid too.

When it comes to selecting a diesel marine generator you can go down two routes. You can buy a new model or a used model. People are often interested in used models because diesel marine generators are not a cheap piece of equipment and can be out of financial reach of many people.

People looking for a used option need to research the history of the unit they are buying (even used units can still be expensive). The least you need to know is how long it has be running and what kind of elements it has worked in.

For instance, some generators may have been dropped into water. This is not good for any generator regardless of whether it was designed for marine use or otherwise. Get a full service history too as this should highlight anything that the owner may be unwilling to mention.

Whatever option you go for, be it used or new, the next thing to address is how much power the machine will need to deliver. Basically you have to work out the total load. This could be easy in fixed locations that only have a few appliances. Or it may be harder if you are planning on using it in a large boat that can have fluctuations in energy needs. Take an average over a 3 month period in these cases.

You also need to select the type of fuel that will run the generator. There are various types, from standard gasoline and diesel to natural gas.

You should look for certain brand names too when it comes to selecting a marine generator. The best brands to go for are Onan, Westerbeke, Kohler, Mase and Fischer Panda marine generators. They have a history and reputation in the industry and produce quality machinery.

These manufacturers have many types and models on the market. They each have their unique selling points but ultimately it is their capacity and price that will probably help you decide which diesel marine generator to get.

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